Subterranean Homesick Blues letra

Johnny's in the basement mixing up the medicine
I'm on the pavement thinking about the goverment
The man in the trench coat, badge out, laid off,
Says he's got a bad cough: wants to get it paid off
Paid off

God knows when but you're doin' it again!
You better duck down the alleyway lookin' for a new friend
The man in the coonskin cap in the big pen
Wants eleven dollar bills: you only got ten
So look out kid

Maggie comes fleet foot, face full of black soot
Talkin' at the heat put plants in the bed but
The phone's tapped anyway, maggie says that many say
They must bust in early May
Orders from the D.A.

Walkin' on your tip toes, don't try no doze
Better stay away from those that carry around a fire hose
Keep a clean nose, watch the plain clothes
Cause we don't need a weather man to know which way the windblows